San Diego High Schoolers Win Robotics World Championship

High Tech High's robotics team proved that San Diego students can compete with the best in the world, winning the FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship in Houston last weekend.

The Holy Cows faced off against roughly 600 elite robotics teams from over 100 countries at the competition, which drew more than 50,000 participants from April 29 to May 2. They teamed up with three other schools (HighTide from Ventura, MadTown Robotics from Madera, and Nerds of Prey from Florida) to clinch the championship title.

This victory caps off an impressive season for the San Diego team. They finished ranked 10th out of 296 high school robotics teams in California and earned the Excellence in Engineering Award at the Southern California State Championship.

The Holy Cows have been building more than just robots since their founding in 2004. Former engineering teacher David Berggren started the team with a mission that extends beyond competition wins.

The Ripple Effect

This championship matters because the Holy Cows have spent years proving that robotics can change lives. In 2013, they received the FIRST Impact Award at the World Championship, which recognizes teams that inspire other students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.

The team's leadership and community influence have helped push countless young people toward STEM fields. Their work shows how competitive robotics creates real pathways to meaningful careers.

Every year, the Holy Cows participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition, a program run by a global nonprofit that combines technical skills with teamwork and innovation. The competition challenges students to solve real-world problems while learning from engineers and mentors.

For San Diego students dreaming of careers in technology and engineering, the Holy Cows just proved that world-class achievement starts right at home.